White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing with reporters — 1/26/2026

Key Concepts

• Federal Emergency Disaster Declarations: Presidential authorizations granting states access to federal resources during emergencies.
• Sanctuary City Policies: Local policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): U.S. federal law enforcement agency responsible for immigration enforcement.
• CBP (Customs and Border Protection): U.S. federal agency responsible for border security.
• Angel Families: Families of victims killed by undocumented immigrants.
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): Investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
• DHS (Department of Homeland Security): U.S. federal department responsible for national security.

Winter Storm Response & Federal Disaster Declarations

President Trump is closely monitoring the ongoing winter storm impacting much of the country and has remained in constant contact with FEMA and emergency responders. He swiftly approved federal emergency disaster declarations for twelve states – Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia – within 24 hours. These declarations aim to facilitate state-led efforts to restore power, clear roads for emergency services, and ensure community safety by providing access to critical federal resources. The White House will maintain direct communication with governors and local officials, particularly in the hardest-hit states.

Minneapolis Shooting & Federal-State Conflict

The briefing addressed the shooting in Minneapolis over the weekend, emphasizing that no one in the White House, including President Trump, desires violence in American streets. The incident, involving an ICE agent, is under active investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI, with an internal review also being conducted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The administration attributes the escalation to deliberate resistance from Democrat leaders in Minnesota – Governor Tim Waltz and Mayor Jacob Frey – who are accused of spreading “lies” about federal law enforcement and actively obstructing their efforts to arrest “violent criminal illegal aliens” (murderers, rapists, pedophiles, human traffickers, and gang members). Governor Waltz and Mayor Frey are further accused of encouraging “left-wing agitators” to harass and obstruct federal officers, creating dangerous situations. The administration views obstructing federal law enforcement and inciting violence as illegal and unacceptable.

Immigration Policy & Prior Administration Comparison

The administration contrasts the current situation with the previous administration of Joe Biden, alleging that Biden’s “open borders” policies invited millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country. The administration highlights cases of American citizens harmed or killed by undocumented immigrants – Joselyn Nungre, Lake Riley, and Rachel Morren – as examples of the consequences of these policies. A recent incident in New Jersey, where an illegal alien threw a stone at a school bus fracturing an 8-year-old child’s skull, was also cited.

President Trump is presented as committed to securing the border, deporting criminal illegal aliens, and fulfilling a promise made to nearly 80 million voters. Despite resistance from sanctuary cities like those in Minnesota, the administration asserts it is actively arresting and removing threats from cities across the country. The deaths of two “motans” (likely a misstatement for Minnesotans) in Minneapolis are directly attributed to the defiance of federal immigration law by Governor Waltz and Mayor Frey.

Administration Response & Demands

President Trump has spoken directly with Governor Waltz and outlined a three-point plan to restore law and order in Minnesota:

1. Turn over all incarcerated criminal illegal aliens and those with active warrants to federal authorities for immediate deportation.
2. State and local law enforcement must cooperate with ICE by turning over all arrested illegal aliens.
3. Local police must assist federal law enforcement in apprehending and detaining illegal aliens wanted for crimes, especially violent ones.

If implemented, the administration believes CBP support will no longer be needed in Minnesota. The administration is also calling on Congress to pass legislation ending sanctuary cities, arguing that American cities should be safe for law-abiding citizens, not “dangerous, illegal alien criminals.”

Public Support & Legislative Action

The administration claims overwhelming public support for its immigration policies, citing polling data showing over 80% of Americans favor deporting illegal aliens convicted of violent crimes. The administration frames the issue as a matter of national sovereignty, stating, “A country unable to deport criminals who enter it illegally is no country at all.” The administration asserts that the “open borders agenda” was rejected by voters in the November 2024 election. President Trump is presented as unwavering in his commitment to deporting violent criminal illegal aliens and making America safe.

Q&A Highlights & Further Details

• Selective Outrage: The administration criticized the media for perceived selective outrage, noting a lack of coverage for victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants compared to the Minneapolis shooting.
• Arizona Attorney General’s Rhetoric: The administration condemned the Arizona Attorney General’s encouragement of potential violence against ICE agents as dangerous and contributing to the escalation of tensions.
• Deployment of Tom Homan: The deployment of Tom Homan to Minneapolis is not a sign of dissatisfaction with DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, but rather a strategic move to facilitate cooperation with state and local officials.
• Body Cameras: The administration is considering the use of body cameras for ICE agents but has not yet made a decision.
• Fraud Allegations: President Trump believes there is a “cover up” of fraud in Minnesota, potentially involving Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
• Hostage Release & Gaza Reconstruction: The administration highlighted the return of the last remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and the increased international support for rebuilding Gaza as significant foreign policy achievements.

Conclusion

The briefing focused heavily on the administration’s response to the Minneapolis shooting and its broader immigration policy. The administration framed the incident as a direct consequence of obstructionist policies by Democrat leaders and reiterated its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, deporting criminal illegal aliens, and securing the border. The administration emphasized the need for cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement and presented its policies as aligned with the will of the American people. The tone was assertive and accusatory, particularly towards Democratic officials in Minnesota, and underscored the administration’s unwavering stance on immigration enforcement.